Why Smriti Irani got into a spat with Priyanka Gandhi's secretary in Amethi

By Agencies |Posted 08-May-2014

BJP candidate Smriti Irani got into a spat with Priyanka Gandhi’s secretary Preeti Sahay over her presence at a polling booth; BJP filed a complaint with the EC and Sahay was asked to leave

Amethi: Priyanka Gandhi’s secretary Preeti Sahay was asked to leave Amethi after BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that she was trying to influence voters in the constituency.

BJP candidate Smriti Irani and Preeti Sahay, PRO of Priyanka Gandhi, entered in a verbal dual as the former objected to her presence at one of the booths in Jagdishpur area in Amethi. Irani complained to the authorities. Pics/PTI

On the complaint of BJP candidate Smriti Irani, Sahay was asked to leave the constituency as her presence was against the rules, District Electoral Officer Jagat Raj Tripathi said.

Verbal spatIrani and Priyanka’s secretary had entered in a verbal duel as the former objected to her presence at one of the booths in Jagdishpur area on Wednesday. Following the incident, BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission on the presence of Sahay at a polling booth at Thori village in Jagdishpur area, alleging that she was trying to influence the voters.

Outsider at booth“When Irani reached booth number 210 and 211 at Thori village in Jagdishpur village, she saw Sahay at the booth. Irani asked her for the pass, which she could not produce. Sahay, being an outsider, should not have entered the booth,” Ashok Patel, PRO of Irani told reporters.

District officer saysThe District Electoral Officer Jagat Raj Tripathi said, “We have received a complaint from Irani. Prima facie we found that both the persons were wrong in their own places. While Sahay should not have been inside the booth, Irani also misbehaved inside the booth. Sahay has been asked to leave the constituency.”

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